Bagwell was the owner and operator of Freedom Pharma, a company that was a manufacturer and distributor of various unapproved prescription drugs to customers throughout the United States, including the Northern District of West Virginia. Freedom Pharma was not registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration as a drug manufacturer. The performance enhancing drugs were misbranded and introduced into interstate commerce.

“Distributing unapproved and misbranded prescription drugs is illegal and puts American consumers at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark McCormack of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office. “Our office is fully committed to working with the Department of Justice to assure that drugs are safe, effective, and are manufactured in FDA-registered and inspected facilities.”

Bagwell faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The United States Food and Drug Administration investigated.